Welcome to SWAG
News
Putting the zing into Branxton
11-Jan-2012
Frances Sacco (Maitland Mercury)
Making Branxton an attraction in its own right is vital to the town's survival when it is bypassed by the Hunter Expressway, according to the business chamber president.
The town has 18 months before the expressway is opened and Branxton Greta Community Business Chamber president Mick Starkey said it would be a big year for the town.
Labor councillors pleased with Huntlee decision
14-Dec-2011
Cessnock Advertiser
Cessnock Labor councillors have applauded the Court of Appeal's decision to overturn the Land and Environment Court's rejection of the Huntlee development.
"This is all about economic development for the region, this is not just houses, this is about jobs for our kids," said Cr. Bob Pynsent.
"This is precisely what the Labor councillors were arguing for this week with the re-activation of the Major Projects committee," said Cr. Graham Smith, who moved the urgency motion to reactivate the Major Projects committee of Cessnock Council that had not met since the last council election.
The Sweetwater Action Group (SWAG) was formed in response to proposed massive developments (such as Huntlee New Town) in the North Rothbury and Branxton districts of the Hunter Valley, which do not adequately address their likely environmental impacts. Read more about SWAG in The Sweetwater Story.
Huntlee Stage 1 Project Application - On Exhibition until 18 April 2011
The Sweetwater Action Group (SWAG) lodged a challenge against PlanningNSW and the developer, LWP Property Group, in relation to the revived proposal in the Land and Environment Court.
SWAG is primarily concerned with:
- Maintaining the rural lifestyle of the areas residents;
- Protecting the areas fragile environment, bushland, flora and fauna; and in particular
- Saving the endangered Persoonia pausiflora.
Issues:
- Biodiversity
- Bushland Management
- Ecologically Sustainable Development
- Native Vegetation
- Threatened Species
- Water
- Wildlife
David Shoebridge visits Huntlee site on 21 Dec 2010
Greens MLC David Shoebridge with SWAG Members and Cessnock Candidate, Councillor James Ryan viewing Persoonia pausiflora on the Huntlee site in Tuckers Lane North Rothbury (Photo: Peter Firminger).